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Influenza (Flu)
At least 20 million people, died in the 1918
influenza pandemic.
You're especially
at risk if you are an older adult, have diabetes,
chronic cardiovascular or lung disease, or an
impaired immune system.
Treatment
Unless you're at risk of complications from influenza,
your doctor may suggest nothing more than bed rest and plenty of fluids,
so you don't become dehydrated. But in some cases, he or she may also
prescribe an antiviral medication, such as:
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Neuraminidase inhibitors.
These drugs, which treat both influenza A and B, work by
inactivating an enzyme the virus needs to grow and spread. Zanamivir
(Relenza) may shorten the amount of time you have the flu by a day
or two and may also cut the risk of flu within a family when one
family member is infected. Relenza is inhaled through a device
similar to an asthma inhaler every 12 hours for five days. It's not
for use by anyone with respiratory conditions such as asthma and
lung disease. Side effects may include nose and throat discomfort,
headache and cough. Another drug, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is available
in pill form. It may also shorten the duration of the flu by a day
or so.
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Oral antiviral medications.
Drugs such as amantadine (Symmetrel) and rimantadine (Flumadine) may
reduce the severity and duration of type A — but not type B —
influenza if you take them within 48 hours after symptoms begin. But
these medications may have serious side effects, including nausea,
nightmares and convulsions. Taking lower doses of the drugs may
reduce side effects.
None of these drugs are useful if you've waited too long
to see your doctor for a prescription, however. And if they're not taken
as recommended, there's a chance that drug-resistant influenza may
develop.
Influenza (Flu)
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